KWC Ends Arch Rival USI's Perfect Season
Monday, February 15, 2010 at 10:41PM 
Sold Out PAC Arena The pursuit for perfection for USI comes to an end. Arch rival Kentucky Wesleyan put it to the Eagles all night long. The Panthers win 86-68. Willie Richardson was the MVP of this game. Richardson did it all for KWC. He finished with 18 points on 4-4 shooting from three point range.
It marks the first Eagles loss in the Rodney Watson era. USI falls to 23-1 overall. The Eagles still lead the Panthers in the GLVC standings, but by just one game. There are three contests left in the season.
Penetration really helped the Panthers. KWC’s guards really broke down the Eagles defense setting up kickout passes for three, or a driving layup.
The PAC Arena was sold out for the first time in two years. However, Eagles fans had little to cheer. USI never put together a sustained run all game long. Jamar Smith tweaked his heel in the Eagles last game against Indianpolis. The injury showed on the court. At one time, Jamar was just a few feet from me during a dead ball. He was grimacing in pain. Smith was just 4-15 shooting, and 1-8 from beyond the arc.
The Panthers had an immediate answer to ever USI counterpunch. KWC was 9-22 from three point range, and the Panthers hit their final 22 straight free throws to seal the victory.
Rodney Watson tied an amazing record. 23 straight wins to start your first season as head coach ties a mark set in the 1920s. Watson has done a tremendous job in guiding this team among some difficult adversity.
What class shown by Todd Lee’s Panthers. KWC wore USI red warm ups with the late Jeron Lewis’ #40 on them. It was such a great way to tribute Lewis.
Congratulations to KWC for the outstanding road victory, and a standing ovation to the Eagles for one magical season.
Here are some extended highlights from my sportscast tonight:
Reader Comments (1)
I am sad in a way. I really wanted to see USI go the entire season undefeated. I thought it would have been the best way to demostrate that through it all, they were able to take care of business on the court. Great win for KWC, and I think they will have a great chance to make it to the Elite Eight this year. But, I think USI, playing for no postseason and playing the memory of a fallen teammate, should be given all the credit in the world. They are a tough bunch of guys.